Artificial teeth



(No Model.)

J. A, THROOKMORTON.

ARTIFICIAL TEETH.

Patented June 28, 1887.

INVENTOR $0M aw .JY BY A WITNESSES: d/ww Z ATTORNEYS.

TATES NITE ARTIFICIAL TEETH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 365,764, dated June 28, 1887.

Application filed March 15, 1887. Serial No. l3l,018. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN A.THROOKMORTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sidney, in the county of Shelby and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Artificial Teeth, of which the following isa specification. v

The object of this invention is to furnish an improved means for securing artificial teeth in the mouth, whether consisting of whole or partial plates, in such manner that they will be held securelyin place, but can easily be removed when desired.

The invention consists in providing the plates of artificial teeth with metallic clasping-plates at any desired point, the clasps for the upper plate when in position holding it to the alveolar process and gums, and the clasps attached to the lower plate being arranged to clasp the parts on the inner surface of the pos terior portion of the lower jaw.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of an upper plate of teeth, the clasping-plates being shown extending upward. Fig. 2 is a view'of a lower plate of teeth, the clasps extending downward. Fig. 3 shows an upper plate,the clasps being arranged in a different position from those in Fig. 1. Figs. 4 and 5 represent partial plates of teeth with my improvement attached.

Similar letters of reference indicate corre sponding parts.

A represents a plate of any suitable material, to which the teeth B are attached. 0onnccted to the plate A are the metal clasps or plates 0. These clasps consist of plates of metal of any desired size and of sulficient thickness to retain their shape when bent. These plates are to be bent or curved in such manner as to clasp the surface to which they are ap plied.

In upper plates, whether whole or partial, these clasps are fastened to the outer margin of the plate, asshown in Figs. 1, 3, and 5, and are.

set on the plate at any point where the gums or alveolar processis best adapted to hold. The clasps for the upper plates extend upward and are drawn over the alveolar processes or gums on the buccal side. The clasps for the lower plates are fastened to the inner or lingual margin of the plate, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4-, and

extend downward from the margin of the plate,

crowding under the plate while eating, even if there are no natural teeth or roots left in the mouth, as the plates are clasped directly to the alveolar processes and gums, or to the parts on the inner side of the lower jaw.

The clasps can be put on new plates during the process of manufacture, or can be readily attached to old plates. Any suitable metal can be used for the clasps, as gold, silver, tin, &c.

The clasps can be attached to the plates in any suitable manner. In attaching the clasps to rubber, celluloid, and similar plates, the case should be prepared and packed, and then opened and the clasp inserted at the proper place. The flask is then closed and the contents vulcanized in the usual way.

Vhen gold, silver, or platinum plates are used, the clasps can be attached by solder.

The clasps when attached to the plates can be properly adjusted by fitting thenr on models prepared for the purpose.

Should the plate of teeth become too loose after wearing, they can be easily tightened by bending the clasps on the upper plate toward each other and spreading those on the lower plate farther apart to fit the shape of the parts. Those who wear the plate can readily tighten or loosen the clasps, as desired.

In the drawings two clasping plates are shown attached to each plate of teeth and arranged-on opposite sides of the plate.

The position of the clasping-plates and the number used may, however, be varied to suit any particular case.

Prior to my invention plates of artificial teeth have been held in position by means of clasps attached to the plates and passed around the natural teeth; but, so far as I am aware, clasps have never heretofore been attached to artificial dentures in the manner described and shown by me, one of the principal purposes of in my invention being toavoid the use of the natural teeth and to hold the artificial plate firmly in position in cases where no natural teeth remain in theinouth.

Having thus described myinvention, Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- The combination, with a whole or partial plate of artificial teeth, of one or more metallic clasping-plates extending from the inner or 10 outer margin of the denture, as described, said claspingplates being bent or curved to clasp over the alveolar process and gums of the upperjaw on the'buecal side or under the parts at the lingual side of the posterior portion'of the lower jaw, substantially as herein set forth.

JOHN A. THROGKMORTON.

Witnesses:

D. OLDHAM, J. WEsLEY FRIENp. 

